Target: Robert Kennedy, Secretary of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Goal: Support clinical trials and other medical research in danger of defunding.
A new immunotherapy in the pre-clinical trial stage has demonstrated the ability to track down and destroy cells of one of the deadliest formers of cancer: pancreatic cancer. A pill for the cancer that inhibits growth mutations is giving patients in its clinical trial hope, while novel new blood tests and even breath tests could provide a boon to early detection. In the realm of another devastating illness, Alzheimer’s Disease, researchers are investigating the potential for a drug commonly used to treat mental health issues, lithium, to reverse the debilitating effects of this fatal form of dementia. And ground-breaking gene therapies could hold the key to treating both well-known and lesser-known illnesses, such as Hunter Syndrome. If American priorities are reset, however, all of these amazing and life-saving gains could be lost.
In a six-month period, nearly 400 clinical trials that were funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) were abruptly canceled on orders of the Trump administration. These cancellations left over 74,000 patients who were participating in the trials intended to improve or save their lives in limbo. Only a court order saved many of the trials, but in the interim patients likely died. Even after the restoration of these trials, crucial progress and information gained was set back or lost. And ruthless cuts at the NIH and to its important work continue.
Sign the petition below to demand America’s leadership restore the ability of dedicated healthcare researchers to save lives.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Secretary Kennedy,
If America is the gold standard for healthcare, then clinical trials and the researchers who conduct them are the faithful prospectors. Months and years of rigorous, consistent hard work go into making the kind of advancements that eradicate illnesses once deemed unrecoverable, improve lifespans and quality of life, and that power the hope for medical miracles. At this very moment, very real and transformative strides are being made in Alzheimer’s disease, pancreatic cancer, and a host of other ailments large and small.
This progress must not be halted or stopped because of decisions made by politicians who have no understanding of the gravity of their actions. Think of all the data and possibly the lives lost during the months of hellish limbo the 74,000 clinical trial recipients had to endure while their lifelines were literally severed with a cancellation notice. This vicious cycle must end.
Honor the sacrifices of patients, doctors, and researchers by being their relentless advocate. Fight for full, robust funding for clinical trials and for the science that makes them possible.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Jenny Mealing
